The Taoiseach has told the Dáil it would be 'unacceptable' to fall back on a political stalemate after the decommissioning of IRA arms.
Mr Ahern said he understood the fears and uncertainties of the unionist community and that they were entitled to time to reflect, but all parties would be expected to play their part constructively in talks on the restoration of the institutions.
He said leadership of a high order would be required from all the parties to ensure the full and rich potential of the Good Friday Agreement was realised.
Hain calls for courage from NI politicians
The British Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, has said the endgame to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland is about to be played out.
In an address to the British Labour Party conference in Brighton, Mr Hain said it was time for the North's politicians to be courageous.
He told the conference that the British government sought to take the last, 'painfully difficult' steps towards a political settlement that will finally guarantee 'peace, stability, democracy and human rights'.
Mr Hain also described the announcement by General John de Chastelain's decommissioning body as 'hugely significant'. 'The IRA has decommissioned its arms. The loyalist paramilitaries must now do so too', he said.
The Northern Secretary maintained that the restoration of devolution was his overriding objective and he was confident of achieving it.
